settling in

week 7, things are feeling quite homey. i've never had this much time to settle into a rotation, and some slightly medically complicated patients i'm now seeing for the 3rd time- and for the more neurotic ones, 5th and 6th times. sometimes we talk on a weekly basis...one pt on an almost daily basis for constant reassurance and for notes to her work allowing for all of her weird nuances. at first it was sort of a drag, but now it's getting really interesting to see what more we can come up with...and i wonder how long her employer will continue to smile and nod. it's also quite interesting to track how her new medications seem to be taking effect. it's far more fascinating than i ever thought it could be.

also, when you see 30+ patients a day, something interesting is bound to pop up beyond the sinus and ear infections. like patients who get botox injections for overactive bladders but it backfires and instead they end up with chronic UTI's due to their inability to really void...or the pt who ends up in renal failure because her naturopath family member put her on medications without checking her kidney function first....

it's good stuff.

also...more overheards, since they are kinda fun...

pt: "thank you for looking, but when is the real visit going to start, the one with the real doctor?"

pt: "i feel like you have really been listening, and i appreciate your concentration, trying to figure out what's wrong with me today."

me: "oh sure, no problem. has anyone ever told you that you have the same voice as owen wilson? i feel like i'm talking to lightning mcqueen. ha ha ha"

pt: "who?"

me: "ahem. nevermind"

preceptor: "wait a minute...is that why you spent so much time with that pt?"

me "yeah, maybe. on an unprofessional scale of 1-10, how would you rate that?"

preceptor: "6."

i feel like i have more stored somewhere in my brain, but it's late and there are olympic level distractions and spring! is currently going off outside. i'll get back to these soon enough.